Composers Datebook®

Johann Pachelbel was baptized on today’s date in Nuremberg in the year 1653.

On today’s date in 1928, Kurt Weill’s “Three Penny Opera,” whose cast members portrayed thieves, murderers, and sex workers, debuted at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin.

It was on this day in 1929 that a new march by John Philip Sousa was played for the first time – once – and then promptly forgotten until almost 60 years later.

On today's date in 1952, at the aptly named Maverick Concert Hall in Woodstock, New York, pianist David Tudor premiered two new works by the American composer John Cage.

Franz Liszt’s "Tasso" had its first performance on today's date in 1849.

On today's date in 1937, in Mexico City, the Mexican composer and conductor Carlos Chavez conducted the first performance of this music by Aaron Copland.

On today’s date in 2001, during the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, the German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter premiered a new chamber work for violin and piano titled “Tango, Song and Dance.”

You almost feel sorry for the guy – after all, how would you like to go down in history as the fellow who tried to stiff J.S. Bach?

On today's date in 1907, the "Pomp and Circumstance" March No. 4 by Sir Edward Elgar had its premiere performance in London.

On today's date in 1944, the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky completed an orchestral score he titled "Scenes de Ballet" or "Ballet Scenes."